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       ESSAY,  OR  TRACT,


               ON THE


        VITALITY

               OF THE


WARM  BIiOOD  AND  AIR,


         BY JAMES MORISON,
               OF LONDON,

JBDITED AND REPUBLISHED BV ELISHA NORTH, M.D.
           OP NEW-LONDON, CONN.
     NEW-YORK:
FR1NTED FOR THE AUTHOR.
   AN
1
1835. 
w/4 
ON   VITALITY.
       PRELIMINARY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR.


  The following new light in regard to vitality, as claimed
with some propriety, by its author, is from the pen of the
talented  Mr. Morison,  of London.   Some  of its imper-
fections have been corrected, and parts of it suppressed  in
this present republication. He, by the way,  applies his
somewhat great knowledge in anthropology to empirical
purposes.  It has been the intention of myself not to do so,
and yet owing to the imperfections of society it is less easy,
at least,  for a physician; because  many are fond of false
theories, and from such theories often originate empirical
conduct.   The  same   conduct  may perhaps somewhat
rarely originate  from tenable  theories.   Although this has
not been the case with Mr. Morison: in  other respects his
conduct is, however, unjustifiable.  In illustration the reader
is reminded, that one  of his agents in York, (England,)
has  been arraigned before  a court of justice for man-
slaughter, in occasioning the death of a person while labor-
ing under small  pox,  by giving him Morison's pills, alias
his universal  medicine!!! if newspapers tell true.   This
circumstance, however,  does  not prove his account of vi-
tality either true or false. Tenable  science may be applied
to a sinister purpose, like what is  the case with much  of
vehat is  called  religion.   It is not,  however, so  liable  as
religion, that is false to be thus misused. 
4
  Again,  My " Outlines of Animal Life," were published
in  1826.   This  publication probably gave rise  to Mr.
Morison's  excellent  treatise, " On the origin  of  life and
supreme agency of warm blood and air, only, in the human
body," which was first published in 1828, in London.  This
was two years after my essay, which was very like his, had
been published in Boston.   As  Mr.  Morison regards this
country as one of his medical fields, in which to exercise his
empiricism, he would have motives to prompt him to peep
into a medical periodical, published in Boston—the Athens of
America;  and thus he might have discovered my essay or
tract—besides,  he is evidently a manof erudition.
  My essay did not occasion his empiricism and untenable
publication  against the medical profession. Those were
commenced in  1825.   His  books may be useful, as  a mo-
nitor, to very reflecting physicians, although injurious and
deceptive  to  the  ignorant,  for whom  they were principally
designed,  or by whom they will be read.
  My sentiments, if I have some right to  claim them as
mine, with respect to the vitality of the blood, and its vivi-
fying spirit, or steam-like  principle,  have been during the
last eight years in extensive circulation, both in the British
dominions  and in this  country.  Mr. Morison and  Major
Jack  Downing have helped me much in  both countries.
Major Jack Downing's plan is a good one,  with a  view to
lessen the chance of an annoyance  to a deluded part of
mankind.   I wish not to injure any one's feelings.
  Cavilling readers may say,  that I have misrepresented
Major Jack Downing's views.  This, however, will  not
alter the Major's notions in  regard to vital  steam,  because
he appears to be an honest and huihorous man.
  Again, Mr. Morison  addressed these views under con-
sideration, to the officers of the London University, as  the
reader will soon  perceive.   Mr. Morison's devoidness, as
regards goodness  or integrity, would,  however, lessen their
attention to them in all probability. 
DEDICATION.
TO  THE  COUNCIL AND PROFESSORS
              OF THE
       LONDON  UNIVERSITY.
GENTLEMEN,
      I have taken the liberty of dedicating to you the
following short Treatise, on  a subject highly important to
the welfare of mankind, and  which on that account  cannot
but be interesting to you, however little justice it may have
received from the hands of its author.

    I have the honor to be, respectfully, gentlemen,
                  Your very obedient servant,
                               JAMES MORISON.
  London,  Oct. 1828.
  Editor's Remark.—The dedication  is too good  1o be
suppressed.
I* 
 
A   TREATISE,
ON THE ORIGIN OF LIFE, AND SUPREME AGENCY OF BLOOD

         AND AIR, ON  THE HUMAN BODY, &C.
  [Warm] blood forms the body.  Air [or oxygen]
gives it life.   What is life ?  From whence do we
spring ?  These are questions which have always
occupied the attention of mankind, as they do now,
without  their ever receiving any satisfactory or
useful  elucidation ; and after reading all the theo-
ries, systems, and speculations thereupon, of philo-
sophers,  naturalists, or physicians, we are at last
brought to this conclusion ; that we  do not know
or comprehend [much  about]  it;  that our whole
beginning and being are somewhat incomprehen-
sible to us ;  and that, the state we call life remains
[somewhat mysterious.]
  Naturalists,  philosophers,  physicians, and ana-
tomists, have in vain attempted to guide our steps
[right];  or  to  assist  our  researches so as  to im-
part to us an intimate conviction and knowledge of
the origin of our lives and real natures.
  They  have all strayed too much into theoretical
conjectures, endeavouring to erect a body composed
of matter and spirit,  vitality  and  such like.   As
these theories were all imaginary, and not ground-
ed  on any real basis ,or foundation, and only  flat- 
8
 tering to the vanity  of mankind, by telling them
 that  they had  a soul of  a far superior nature to
 their bodies,  and that this soul alone demanded
 their exclusive care  and  attention ;  we  have in
 consequence,  age after age, seen all these theories,
 and the various labours of metaphysicians, after
 momentarily agitating the world, pass away, leav-
 ing  the human  race a prey to never-ending per-
 plexities, doubts, superstitions, and  ideas  of pre-
 destination.

      Life consists of [warni]  blood and air.

   It is not intended, in this short sketch,  to enter
 into or give quotations from  authors, who have
 preceded us in treating on these subjects—a reca-
 pitulation of old errors is almost  always  useless
 labour.   Our  endeavours  have a more practical
 use in view ; to make mankind  acquainted with the
 true and  real state  and causes of  their existence,
 both in health and in disease, and to disperse  the
 superstitions, theories and practices of the medical
 profession; and  notedly, when  they  talk  of the
 vitality of different parts of the  body, inflammatory
 action and above all  what they call  sympathetic
 affections,  all  which seem  to imply, that  every
 part of the body, has a thinking and feeling faculty
 inherent in itself.  [Demur.]
   Nothing can  be more  absurd and contrary to
 truth, than this idea, as it is the blood alone, which
gives all vitality and power of feeling to every part
of the body; [agreed, in part,] and that which they
call sympathetic  affections,  arise entirely  from a
bad humour, [or wrong action of the blood.] (fee.
      #       *       #       #       #

   " [Warm] blood has formed the body ; but there
 would  be no  life without  air:  this will be more
 decidedly understood  by laying before the reader 
9
an  account of bur formation,  and of all similar
animais in the womb  of the mother.—From the
moment  that  conception has taken place, a com-
munication is established between the centre of
the embryo or conception,  and the blood of the
mother.  [This embryo  is  formed by the united
vital action of the semen of the father and mother.]
A drop or portion of the blood of the mother may
be said to nestle, act, or grow, within said embryo,
in a proper manner, to bring to perfection, by de-
gress, the animal fruit.  You may suppose this por-
tion or drop of blood deposited in the embryo, and
kept in circulation  by the  blood  of the  mother,
somewhat like a person building his own town house
or covering,  or  a snail growing in its  shell.   By
degress the [warm] blood forms this habitation or
covering, for itself, which is called the body, going
on progressively during nine months of pregnancy,
perfecting and completing it, for the  new world it
is about  to enter : this work is carried  on by and
from the [warm oxygenized] blood of the mother,
introduced into the young infant, by means of the
navel [and its apparatus,] which thus circulates in
the infant in the womb, as  blood does, in a great
measure,  after birth.  At maturity, or  at the ex-
piration of nine months from conception, it has then
completed  its work or growth, and an infant is
made,  which is a receptacle or  habitation for the
blood to live in ever after—a work or organization,
nearly or  partially  complete in all  its organs or
parts,  but of which it has as  yet made no inde-
pendent use,  because its  body was supported and
nourished  by the blood of  its mother.   It  has
lungs but does not breathe,—a stomach, but neither
eats nor digests,—bowels, but it has as yet no ex-
crements, that is suitable to pass, [or  to be eva~
cuated.]   The moment  the new born infant sees
the light all these (its organs) are put in  motion by
the Almighty breath of heaven—the air, by means 
10
of the mechanism  or construction  of the  lungs.
The heart now beats, [independently of the  mo-
ther,] the stomach  craves Jood and digests, and
the bowels  evacuate; the infant is  then detached
from its mother, it receives no more of her blood;
and is  now  in the great world, furnished with an
apparatus to make blood for itself, and to continue
its own existence.   This is the beginning of what
we call  perfect individual life ; and it is brought
about  in  a physical  comprehensible  manner.  We
see therefrom, that the [warm oxygenized] blood of
the mother was the principal agent in forming vital
seminal  matter into the  body of the infant; but
though possessing all its organs  it had not  all the
attributes of perfect  [self-life,]  until the air had
acted upon its own lungs and set all the machine
in motion—that  is  to  say made the blood  to cir-
culate {quiokly.J
  We thus  arrive at the first and only true prin-
ciple of life, and learn therefrom, that there is no
vitality or vital principle  existing in  any part of
organization  aside from what  proceeds from  the
[warm] blood, which acts with said  orgazation.
  During the  period  of gestation,  nature,  or  to
speak more definitely, the blood  of the  mother has
not been negligent.   Ahhough  the child was not
often eating, the mother's  blood has supplied its
stomach, liver, and  intestines, with  a  fluid  called
the gastric juice and bile, as necessary  for dissolv-
ing or digesting  the food of the new born infant;
this appears from the early evacuation of the me-
conium or concrete bile,  by the new born  infant,
which had been accumulating, in its entrails,  during
the period  of  the child's  growth, in  the womb:
from this we see evidently, that the bile is not ex-
tracted irom  our  aliments, as  vulgarly thought,
but it  is a fluid furnished  from the whole mass of
our blood, by the agency of the liver, as it is accu- 
1]
rnulated there, i. e.  in the bowels, before the child
ate or drank much.
   [The juice of the  liver is nutritive to an infattt,
before it is born ; and the liver is much larger in
proportion to the rest of our organization, to  fur-
nish a  supply  of so nourishing a juice.  The  bile
is also milder, or different, in its properties, in the
faetus,  than in  an adult, or  than  in itself, after
birth.]
   It is evident from  the foregoing,  that  man owes
his beginning and growth to the blood principally:
first during gestation to the blood  ot the  mother,
and afterwards, through life to blood derived from
his food;  and the air through the  mechanism of
the lungs keeps the whole blood in motion ;  and
that perfect health  and strength arise from its free
circulation.   All diseases,  you  witness, acute or
chronic, are owing  to  an  obstruction, [imperfect
action, or partial, or entire death of the vital blood]
even stomach  and  bowel  complaints, and  which
have been attributed to very different causes.
   [The  blood, including its vital  molecules  and
juices has such a  powerful propensity, or active
disposition,  to  make  a body or organization, for
 itself  to  live in, that it will even do this achieve-
 ment, when by some  accidental circumstance a
 small  portion  of it becomes extravasated.   Ele-
 vations or tumors  thus  occasioned  are called by
 various names, by  surgeons.  Extravasated blood
 may,  however, die, for want  of circulation and
 air.  If such dead  blood be not soon  removed, by
 absorption,  we may  have inflammation, pus,  or
 mortification, which is death of solid organization.
 The blood, when in its own large or proper vessels
 may become  diseased, and  even a part of it die,
 before the death of a person  takes place.]
    The blood is the person, (speaking in a per-
 sonified  sense)—the individual himself;  the mind
 is in the  blood, as are all our senses and feelings. 
12
   When a person thinks, it is the blood that thinks,
by tl e operation of its organ the brain.  When he
tastes, it is  the blood that tastes, by the operation
of the palate and the tongue.   When he sees, it is
the blood that sees, by the operation of the eyes.
When he hears, it is  the blood that hears by  the
aid of the inner ears.   When he breathes, it is the
blood that breathes and draws  in air by the assist-
ance of the  lungs.  When he  feels by the skin, it
is the blood that feels by the agency of the skin,
which is  a  nervous expansion.  When he suffers
pain of any kind, he is suffering from  some  ob-
struction  or impediment,  to the free and proper
circulation  of  the blood;  if  externally   in  the
shape  of a wound, and  if internally in the shape
of humours obstructing the heart and vessels in
their proper action.  When he  wishes, wills,  de-
sires, loves,  hates and despises, it is the blood that
does all these acts by the operation of the brain.
[The more good blood there is, which circulates in
the brain, when  young, the bigger the head will
grow, and the more mind and feeling there will be,
ever afterwards.  Phrenologists will comprehend
this.]  When a person  executes a movement of
any kind, it is the   blood  that does  it  by  the
operation of the spine, which is  the principal organ
of movement, when aided by  the  limbs.   When
a person digests, it is the blood  that  digests by the
operation of the gastric  juices, poured [or slowly
distilled] into the stomach.   When the  bowels
evacuate, it  is the blood  that evacuates, by means
of the bile exciting the bowels.   How erroneously
have philosophers, naturalists, anatomists and phy-
siologists  reasoned on the brain :  they  have  as-
cribed to it all the  vitality, the life, the soul of
man, and considered it a kind  of deity  presiding
over  all  the  rest  of  the  body.  This arose
from their viewing the  body,  as if composed of
several different pieces put together of very differ- 
13
ent  materials,  and their forgetting,  that it is but
one  whole [made from the same material, a little
modified, to wit, the  blood, and having within it
but one feeling agent, i. e. the  blood, or its spirit]
Does not every one see plainly the cause of their
mistake, and that all their science, as they call  it,
is only a  nonsensical  jargon of absurdities, since
it is not  according to the truth.  Have these phi-
losophers ever felt  a corn on the little toe, or  the
gout on the great toe,  or a violent inflammation
any  where else, and been  insensible  of the pain ?
Have they ever  witnessed a mortification  of the
too soon destroying life ?   Does not the gouty man
in his great agony think his  great  toe endowed
with as  much sensibility as his brain ?  It is the
blood, that is, the suffering piinciple, or agency
in all these [cases under review.]   Do not surgeons
and  doctors know, that by opening a vein, the blood
all- runs out, and you expire ?  What then becomes
of this vitality or  vital  spark,  which they tell
you   your  brain and other  parts  are  virtually
endowed with, or is inherent in them ?   Or if you
tie up your little finger with a thread, and prevent
the blood from circulating in it, you have no  feel-
ing  in it;—or if you raise  the flesh or skin and
detach it from the circulating blood,  you  have
no more feeling in it, and you may cut it off with
scissors,  as something not belonging  to you.—We
hear  from the  pulpit, and we  read  every day in
the newspapers, of the vital spark having fled from
the body, as if  there were  something to come out
of it, like a spark from a flint stone, and that such
spark was the  cause  of life, and its exit that of
death.  Such assertions and opinions coming from
so high an authority,  tend only to the propagation
of vulgar errors,  and keep mankind always in the
dark, as to the  real  state of their own bodies  and
minds.
  -How can men (and they of learning  and judg-
                       2 
14
ment too) reason so absurdly on the mind and body
as to suppose  them  distinct  substances?  Will
nothing teach them  to abjure their  old  errors?
Do not they see from  infancy up to old age, that
our minds  depend on the state of our bodies, and
not our bodies on the state of our  mind ; for  in
such case,  it would be every one's mind, inclina-
tion  or wish to  be well, and in  good health, but
this we know has little or no  effect on the body.
But, on the other hand, we know well that a pro-
per treatment of the body has an all-powerful in-
fluence on the mind, so much so as to convert the
insane  and irritated man, or the desponding de-
jected  man, into a  reasonable one.   Both  these
states,  so opposite to one  another, will be brought
to a  proper standard, by purifying the blood, &c.
Have they  not the living example of my Lord Li-
verpool before them, of him who eighteen months
ago  governed the empire,  and who  has not now,
perhaps, the strength  of mind or consistency of a
baby '(   What  invisible demon  or  spirit  came to
destroy the mind of Lord  Liverpool?  None.  But
I will tell you, reader, what in a physical way has
been,the cause of his calamity,—what has destroy-
ed his  mind and faculty of thinking, by injuring
his  brain.   It  was  this:—Twelve   or  eighteen
months  before  this great calamity befel him, my
Lord Liverpool  was  copiously bled for an inflam-
matory  complaint,  instead of which  he should
have been  briskly purged : This bleeding which he
underwent did  not remove the obstructions that
were then  forming in  the vessels and glands of the
neck and  on  the  brain itself;  and the blood and
juices  have ever since been moving improperly.
This is the reason why my  Lord Liverpool is  an
apoplectic  palsied man,  deprived  of  his  faculties
of thought: he has not  the power  of his mind,
because the brain, glands and blood-vessels lead-
 ing  to  the brain are  not properly supplied with
 good vital blood.       *       *      * 
15
  My Lord Liverpool might still recover the use
of  his  mental faculties,  [in  part.]  if properly
treated.
  Every  part of an animal is derived from the
blood, which  is the essence or nutritive part  of
food.   We eat only to make blood.  This ope-
ration of nature is done by digestion in the stomach
and in other parts.   It is effected by means of the
juices of  the  blood gradually distilled  into the
stomach;  and by other powers.   These faculties
alone have the power to convert food into  blood :
and these digestive  juices receive little assistance
from  any muscular force.   The muscles, nerves,
and organs receive their propensities to action and
sensibility from the [vital]  blood, which pervades
all  the  body ; and the  blood furnishes pure juices,
when in health, for the support and nourishment
of  all its  members or parts,—as for example, for
the eyes, the brain, the hair, the bones,  the nails,
the mouth, the skin, &c.  A healthy new born in-
fant digests  with ease, by  means  of juices, food,
that  is appropriate for it,  even  better than many
muscular men.  A new born infant has, however,
but little muscular force  in  its stomach, [or any
where else.]    From this we learn concerning the
erroneous means  too  often used  to remedy the
stomach  and  bowel complaints of children, such
as  bark, wine, bitters, &c.       *       *
        *       #        #        #       #
   From the   preceding it  is an  undeniable truth,
that  every thing  in  all animal  bodies proceeds
from the blood, which is  the only supporter of
life, which is done by feeding  and occasioning the
growth of all our  organs  in their proper state or
condition; even the brain itself, which is the organ
of  thought,  and which medical men and philoso-
phers have  very erroneously represented,  as pos-
sessing innate qualities,  independent of the phy-
sical state of the body ; whereas it receiyes all  its 
16
organization and  mental strength from the blood,
and according to  its goodness, the brain acts with
freedom and vigour,  like any other organ—as the
eyes,  ears, palate, lungs  or heart.  Why does a
man in fever become delirious?  He is  in  a  state
somewhat like insanity.  The reason because his
brain is  highly  affected is, that the  blood and
juices move wrong;  and may cause inflammation.
This  is  verified  by  the  inspection of the  parts
within the skulls of persons, who die in this state —
the whole is often found covered with pus, or other
matter, that has  become dead;  and if the matter
is not properly carried off by absorption,  death is
the result.   Or, at best, a person may remain in a
very infirm convalescence ;  and frequently in con-
firmed insanity.—Examine  and interrogate the
miserable inmates of our  Bedlams and  Lunatic
asylums, you  will there  find abundant proofs of
the melancholy  effects of the  present modes of
treatment, and those victims date their calamity
each one to some fever or  sickness, measles, ly-
ings in, milk fever, &c.
  All these evils originate from improper treat-
ment, from applying other remedies for their cure,
than the vegetable purgatives,  i.e. the universal
pills !!  [Demur, how do you know ?]     *
       #      #        #       *        •*
  After the blood, the air we breathe is the next
agent of life : we cannot exist a moment without
it.  Why ?  Because the  want of it stops the
blood's nimbleness.   And if you draw off all the
blood, although you have  air, yet you expire too.
Air, the  atmosphere, is essential to life,  [partly
by its pressure or weight.]  But the quality of
air  is not of  that importance to health, that phy-
sicians and  surgeons would make you believe: in
fact, if you look all over the world, you  will find
healthy people arid sickly people in  all kinds of air.
I never would advise any  one to  be dissatisfied 
17
with  the air he breathes, and he should be con-
vinced that the air is  not  the real cause  of his
pain  and sufferings.  This real cause in all cases
is a vitiated humour, [or wrong action within our
own bodies,] and if he takes the proper medicines,
he will find himself well in any air.   [If the word
air means suitably diluted oxygen, instead  of im-
pure  atmosphere, then  the  theory may be some-
what correct, but not otherwise.]
       #       *        #       *       #
  To conclude, an  identical fraction of the blood
of Eve,  still  circulates in  the bodies of all now
existing, as it will in  the  bodies of  those yet to
come into existence.  The blood in each individual
has  the  power of adding more blood to its own
quantity, within given  limits ; but the quality or
peculiar nature of  it, (its acting as the vital prin-
ciple,) was derived from our first mother,  Eve, as
implanted in her by the Almighty.       *
       #       #        #       #       #
2* 
18
REMARKS  BY THE EDITOR.
  The last paragraph has the merit of containing
the most agreeable instruction, which can be given,
on  a subject of inquiry, above our limited  com
prehension.   We only know existence,  past and
present.  We cannot form a  conception of  the
very first beginning of any  existence, which has
the  Almighty for its author.
  Again, North's Outlines  of  Animal  Life, and
Mr. Morison's lucid accouut of vitality  of blood
and  air, should be  studied in connexion, because
the   hiatvs or imperfections  of each essay, are
filled up by the other, i. e. the opposite one.  They
are   somewhat like man and woman, which are
known to be in possession of  different qualities;
all  of which  are  good  and less good.  These
essays in  my selfish opinion, like Pope's Essay on
Man, should be regarded as somewhat classical in
our literature.
  Again, The above tract of Mr. Morison's  gives
a more natural  and tenable view of animation,
than much of what is  called metaphysics and
physiology.  It  was written for  a  fault-finding
purpose, however ; and the ideas or plan of put-
ting ideas together, in all probability, were mostly
purloined, as said above, from my publication in the
Boston or New-England Medical Journal. And yet
there is no  irreligion in the above  doctrine, as
taught by two persons, as some might fear.   Be-
cause  our  religious  propensities or feelings may
have an existence in the  vital blood, when acting 
19
 nimbly, in  our devotional organs, as well  as  to
 have an existence in any other  part  of our  orga-
 nization ; whether spirituous, steam-like  or not.
 Phrenologists will comprehend this paragraph.
   Again ; Has  mere chance induced the co-exist-
 ence in  views, that there is in two vital brains.
 If so it must be  regarded as  evidence of correct-
 ness in physiology.  Those who study both essays
 under review, will easily perceive the co-incidence.
 The main  difference regards  the spirit or steam
 of the blood and the complication of animal ma-
 chinery or organization.   Both  modes of instruc-
 tion  have  their peculiar  advantages.   There  is
 also  much  plebeian simplicity in  t ach ; especially
 in that  of  Mr. Morison; and  many on that ac-
 count may  deny their originality.  Such  a denial
 is, however, of  little consequence  to any  one.
   A vindication of my own profession, if not my-
 self,  makes it  needful  to  proceed  to say  more
 things, which may be disagreable to the talented Mr.
 Morison. He seems willing to do evil in the prac-
 tice of medicine upon  a large  scale, that good to
 himself may  come; judging from his many pub-
 lications.  What I  have borrowed or taken back
 as belonging to myself, in part, is from  his work
 published in London, in  1831.  This was the third
 edition.
   Mr.  Morison  has apparently,  by the  way, a
 somewhat good  forehead and sincipital region  of
 head : judging phrenologically from his likeness,  as
 given in his book.  I republish his essay  or  tract
 because  I like it very much, and because  the pub-
lic press neglects such tracts.  I only wish it had
a good and  correct man for its author.
   Again; The respectability  of some few of the
priesthood,  makes it necessary, that they should
be reminded, that the light of  phrenological and
physiological science is  now so  much  diffused 
20
through Great Britain and this country, that when
they preach from  their desks the old doctrine of
immaterialism, or write against materialism, they
make themselves perfectly  ridiculous, to a large
or highly respectable part of their audiences.  This
advice is given with great or proper,  and yet not
with superstitious reverence  to priests.
  Again : The good organization of mankind,  as
respects both strength of body and mental talents
or propensities,  is greatly dependent on  a whole-
some and  energetic condition  of parents, at  the
moment  of a  sexual union.   The embryo, which
may at that important moment  be formed, is des-
tined to grow, or form its organization, ever after-
wards, in a  great measure, after a mixed fashion
of each parent.  This law of organization is of so
much importance that, in great mercy to mankind,
too young, very old, and highly imperfect persons
have not the faculty given them of begetting em-
bryoes at all, to  grow  afterwards into  miserable
beings.   And if  any such are produced, their lives
are rendered somewhat short, to make more  room
for better organizations.   The best good of society
requires that such should be the case.  And that
young persons of both  sexes should be  aware  of
this most important of all natural laws, in  one view
of the case, with a view to judicious matrimony.
  Again: Every medical student  in physiology
ought to seek after an excellent, although neglected,
work, published in New-York, by Joseph Young,
M. D., of that city.  He was unlike Mr. Morison,
in one  respect.  He was  a  man  of  both  genius
and  integrity.   Said  work was  published   by
George F. Hopkins, No. 64, at Washington-head,
Maiden-lane,  N. Y.  And  improperly without  a
date to the  book.  It may perhaps be twenty-five
or thirty  years  since.   An allowance must  be
made in reading the work for the state of science
at the era of tjie doctor's life.  He taught much in. 
21
regard to spiritous matter in the animal economy ;
and when it was unfashionable to do so; and with
respect to self-ability in our organization  to cure
our maladies.   This doctrine, although true, was
unfashionable at the time.
  Again :  Who is the best physician?  I will an-
swer this  question  for the  benefit of  my kind
readers.   The answer to the question just put is—
He,  if the blood may be personified, is the vital
blood within each one's organization.  This blood
cures more maladies than the whole medical faculty
besides.   The faculty are only servants or  assist-
ants to the  sanative  blood,  and  its organization;
and  they have not half the  power to benefit  any
one, that our blood possesses.   God  has brought
you into existence; and then, in great mercy, he
has  been pleased to  place near each of you,  i. e.
within your own bosoms, as  a protecting sentinel,
the very best and kindest physician in the whole
world, namely  your own vital blood  speaking  in
a figurative  and personified manner.  Why then be
dissatisfied  with yourselves, although  sometimes
sick, your own  physician within you may want
employment, to  show his great skill and kindness.
Mr.  Morison is aware  of these  important facts;
and that mankind are ignorant in medicine. True
physicians ought to be highly appreciated.
  Again: The labour of Mr. Morison and Major
Jack  Downing  has  had the  effect of diffusing
extensively, within a very  short period, through
two extensive countries a philosophical  truth, or
a new  mode  of teaching  it, with  respect  to the
vitality of the blood and a vital steam, or in other
words  what the soul is, as was stated heretofore,
These  books or  writings have had a great circu-
lation.   I have not the means of proving, with cer-
tainty, that their notions of life, to  use a  yankee
phrase, were derived from my  publications;  and
as regards the public  or myself, it is of little qoiv« 
22
sequence  how this  fact may be.   It is the know-
ledge of the new theory that is consequential to the
public.  Medical men and others ought to be will-
ing to receive instruction,  even from such  a  mo-
nitor  as  Mr. Morison.   Some  may object  that
there are too many  truisms in the works under
review.   The furniture  of   a  physician's head
should, however, consist of truisms. *
  The words introduced in brackets belong to me,
and not to Mr. Morison ; and some  small alteration
has been made in his essay,  by myself, which is
not thus included.
  The Pilgrim's Progress, or John Gilpin's Race
in Phrenology,  although published  under   the
name  of Uncle  Toby, is the production  of the
writer of this pamphlet.   The reason for publish-
ing under that name is,  or will be given  in  that
work. I mean not  to publish " ought in malice,"
or to  promote quackery.  My object is to  benefit
curious and discreet persons.   Those who may
like this work, may  seek after my  other publica-
tions.  It can scarcely be necessary to say,  that
newspaper, and other editors, have my permission
to republish this  pamphlet, or parts of it,  if they
can  do so without  outraging public decorum or
public chastity. 
23
ADDITIONAL  CHAPTER.
   The whole circulating blood constitutes a crim-
son reservoir, or purple bloody ocean, of vital ma-
terials, for building up and keeping in repair the
whole human  fabric.   This  fact  is generally
known.   It was taught by Moses, in the Old Tes-
tament, and by John Hunter. The doctrine which
I claim, is that the blood,  in a state of circulation
furnishes  fine materials, for a vivifying spirit, or
steam, for three great divisions of our life, name-
ly, lirst,  What belongs to the digestive appara-
ratus of organs:  Secondly,  What  belongs to  the
sanguiferous system :  and Thirdly, What pertains
to the nervous system, including the brain, or the
phrenic life of Bichat.  This  last sort of life is
sustained  by  the  very nicest spirit of the blood.
This  is what has been called soul, by those igno-
rant of its  nature, and it is needed  to occasion
thought and feeling.   There  is more of this ener-
getic  and nimble spirit,  drawn from  the crimson
reservoir, when  wanted, by us, for great mental
exertions, than  in sleep.   I may repeat this doc-
trine oftener than may be  necessary.   I do so, be-
cause authors are often defrauded, as regards their
scientific  doctrines.   I maintain, that  there is as
tenable a  foundation for this doctrine, as  there is
for th^ organology of Gall and  Spurzheim.  And
that soulogy and organology ought to be blended,
in giving  phrenological  instructions.   A better
word than  soulogy  may be  made,  perhaps.  I
taught this doctrine eight years ago.  It has been 
24
 the partial public opinion, in every .age, that mind
 and body were separate substances.  1 have taught
 the  connexion,  that there is between them; and
 that they both grow co-existently.   Each fibre  of
 the brain is a liliputian organ of the soul.
   There  is a wonderful simplicity in  the  laws
 of the Almighty, to speak in common reverential
 language.   This simplicity,  as regards life, is so
 great, that all vitality would  cease to be on this
 globe, very soon, were  it  not for  atmospheric
 pressure.   Neither blood nor sap could move icith-
 out such pressure.  This shows our great and per-
 petual dependence upon  Almighty power, and the
 gratitude due  for our happiness.
   In Article xvi.  from the Edinburgh  Phrenological
 Journal,  lately republished in  the Boston Annals
 of Phrenology, are these words  :—" The objections
 brought against phrenology on  the ground of ma-
 terialism, may now be said to have disappeared."
   This information may  be correct as  regards
 Great  Britain; and yet not be so with respect to
 the United States.  The writings of Mr.  Laurence,
 whose work  has gone  through  six editions in
 England, may have helped more, in  that country,
 than in this, to establish the truth, with respect to
 the fact, that both mind and body are sustained in
life, by vital blood.  While Mr.  Laurence has been
 teaching this doctrine among the learned, Mr. Mo-
 rison, the hygeist, or learned quack, who acts upon
a large scale,  has been giving  somewhat similar
instruction,  by his books, to the vulgar.  Both of
these descriptions of persons may,  by this time, in
that country,  have become convinced, that  it is
impious to call in question, the  wisdom  of the Al-
mighty, as  regards  the   physiological  nature of
mankind.   That  such  will  be  the  case  in this
country, ere long, is highly probable.
   Again ; There seems to be an opinion, prevalent
among a part of the medical profession, that be- 
25
cause phrenology is an useful  science among lite*
rary persons of all descriptions, that, therefore, it
is not particularly needful for  the physician. Even
the  anatomy  of the  brain  is not yet  generally
taught in our public medical schools, upon  the true
plan of Gall and Spurzheim.  Ought not those go-
yernments, who patronise medical institutions, to
be  informed  of the  neglectfulness of those  who
are appointed  to teach true and beneficial science ?
Such neglect  is a sort  of fraud upon the public.
This is not said in any ill will, but with  a  view to
make batter physicians.  When a  person expresses
an opinion against organology, he furnishes  con-
clusive evidence to a phrenologist, either  that  he
is unacquainted with the science, or that he is un-
der  the influence of sinister motives.  Did  my
limits permit,  it would be  easy to show,  that the
phrenological  or physiological doctrine of material-
ism, or spirituosity of mind, is as  good, as that of
immaterialism,  in any view vihich can be taken of
the case. And truth  is always better than  error.
   Again ;  There is no end to  objections,  which can
be made to lessen the influence of scientific  authors.
It has been stated as  an objection  against Dr. Gall,
that he  made use of  means to sell his own works.
Now phrenology proves, that one person has as
good a moral right, to try to  sell  the productions
of his  own brain, as another person has  to offer
for  sale the curious  productions  of his  hands.  I
am  aware that  I am in  danger of displeasing the
organs of self-esteem, in some heads, by my frank-
ness.   I will, however, sell  any  work, if I can,
which I have ever published,  if cash be sent to me,
per mail, or otherwise.
   Moreover,  I maintain, without  arrogance, that a
person who teaches  that the  soul is immaterial, is
either  a designing person, or  an ignorant  one.
I hope, hereafter, persons will avoid such  a dilem-
ma.   I  do not  expect to convince every ignorant
                        3 
26
person.  Ignorance and obstinacy are often united.
I may teach authors discretion, however.
  There have been a few authors, in every age,
who have been intelligent and honest  enough to
teach, that organization  occasions mind.   And a
great majority of persons, who are  incapable  of
writing  books, doubtless hold to such a doctrine. 
27
CONCLUSION.
  It is thought that there may be a set of persons,
in some  parts  of these enlightened United States,
who are what are commonly called priest-ridden.
These I cannot suit by my useful publications, al-
though  I mean not to  give them tenable cause of
complaint,  because in kindness, I wish their pros-
perity.  They  often manifest good  dispositions.
Priests and their followers, ought to be succumb-
ing to philosophy and truisms, in affairs pertaining
to natural  and important  science;  yet they  are
often unwilling.  I think, like Spurzheim, that the
organization of mankind is not elevated enough to
sustain  the purest religion, or best philosophy, in
general society.  Of course priests may be some-
what excusable ; and yet  those, who,  in  malice,
often  denounce  their opponents, as  infidels and
heretics, make manifest a great want of pure self-
religion, like Torquemada  of old, who ruined one
million, nearly, of wealthy persons, in Spain, by
his Inquisitorial power.   A  great  multitude  of
these  were fanatically  burnt  alive.   The  animal
cerebral organs prompts men to such un-holy con-
duct,  under- the  garb of holy religion.  There is
no  danger, that pure charitable phrenology, will
ever do such mischief.   Hence I like it. It is pro-
bably destined to do  much  good in society, as
regards true religion.   The above may not be en-
tirely devoid of self-arrogance.  A remedy, how-
ever, is not easy, if the truth be told. 
28
  Moreover, I am like priests, in general, aware,
that the metaphysical Andrew Baxter, of Aberdeen,
in Scotland, published a large work, for his  last
edition, in I ?;">(), just  before he died, on the  human
soul.   In his imagination he made it to  be imma-
terial.  The human imagination can create almost
any scheme, when itchooses, and be pleased with it;
and make other persons be  pleased with  it  also,
And such a plan may be  well calculated to make
a book sell.  Now, such a  soul as Mr.  Baxter
would  have, is not a whit better, with a view to
immortality,  as can  easily and tenably  be main-
tained, than a more substantial one.   Yet,  strange
to tell! it has been thought to be so, by a multitude
of somewhat deluded and somewhat  selfish  per-
sons.   Those who submit to erroneous religious
notions, which may be prevalent, in a given place,
make  manifest less  turbulent dispositions,  than
others.  And yet one, with pure motives, may try
to correct errors, with a view to more  beneficial
opinions.
  Again: Cannot money, which is paid  to mis-
sionaries  for somewhat good, or imperfect oratory,
and which  is  expended, among grovelling hear-
ers, be better employed at  home?  Bosjes-men,
and the like, are alluded to.  The question is only
asked,  lest benevolent feelings may be injured.  In
this country,  our laws  are so inconsistent with
each other, that while, on the one  hand,  they
discourage  quackery in  medicine,  they  on the
other  hand patronise and protect empiricism in
religion.  Hence the  evil of mobs, from fanaticism,
must often  be sustained.   Even  mobs, however,
sometimes  do  good, by  teaching moderation to
bigots.  It  is  thought  among statesmen, that the
re-actions of what may be quackery, in religion,
do, however, in fact, promote that religion, which
is true, natural, and beneficial.  Hence statesmen,
although curious to tell! protect falsehood  and im^ 
29
position, as well as truth in religion, although not
in other affairs.  There is, however, much of na-
tural and genuine religion, in most religious creeds.
This is a fortunate circumstance for society.  The
effects of erroneous  religious  notions  are  thereby-
lessened, 
 
   The  public  are  now in  possession of three  tracts,  or
short treatises,  on warm blood and air, viewed as support-
ing agents of both body and mind, or animal organization.
   The  first was published  in 1826, in the New-England
or Boston Medical  Journal,  for  that year,  by  Elisha
North, M.D.
   The  second was published,  in London, in 1828, by
James Morison, and addressed to  the  officers of the Lon-
don  University.  It  went through three  editions  in that
country, and one or more in this.
   The  third was  published, in 1829,  in New-York, as a
second  and enlarged edition of the first, under review, by
Elisha North, M. D.
   All of these tracts, and likewise Dr. Young's book, should
be read by all students  in physiology.  The second  one,
which is now before the reader, is  the most simple and
lucid, if not sufficiently convincing,  although written by a
very exceptionable character.—The Pilgrim's Progress,  or
John Gilpin's Race, in Phrenology,  will likewise have the
same scientific  boldness, in  teaching  the  true  nature  of
human organization ; if this last publication be ever finished.
If 1 did  not deliberately believe my  somewhat unfashionable
publications calculated  to benefit unprejudiced persons,  in
sickness and in health, they  would never have seen the
light. 

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